Dismissed cop claims ex-Duterte adviser Michael Yang involved in illegal drugs

A dismissed Philippine National Police official has claimed that former presidential adviser Michael Yang, along with another Chinese national close to President Rodrigo Duterte, are involved in the illegal drug trade, according to a report by Jun Veneracion on "24 Oras" on Tuesday.

"Sa aking pag-iimbestiga, natuklasan ko na ang ating Pangulo, si Presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte, ay laging may kasamang dalawang taong matindi ang involvement sa ilegal na droga, ito ay sina Michael Yang at Allan Lim," Senior Superindendent Eduardo Acierto said in a statement.

"Sila Michael Yang at Allan Lim, nagpa-facilitate ng entry ng drugs sa Customs by getting 50,000 per kilo, 'yun 'yung report sa'kin," Acierto, former deputy director for administration of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, added.

Acierto, who claimed to have acquired the information from an asset inside the drug syndicate, admitted that the intelligence report has yet to be validated.

However, he said it has been submitted to then PNP chief and now senatorial candidate Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, current PNP chief Oscar Albayalde, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director general Aaron Aquino, Senate justice Blue Ribbon committee chair Richard Gordon and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

Acierto said he chose to come forward with the information because he feared for his life.

"Kung talagang galit si Presidente Duterte sa droga, bakit hindi niya ipinahuli ang mga nasabing mga tao na ito? O pinaibestigahan man lang?" he said.

Asked to react, Gordon said, "Walang ebidesniya 'yun dahil hearsay. Abogado ako. Kahit na sabihin ko, thrown out of court kaagad 'yun."—Margaret Claire Layug/ LDF, GMA News